Gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis stopped in Cape Coral today as part of a four-city swing through south Florida.

He'd just been to Naples. Sarasota and West Palm Beach would follow in the afternoon and evening. The local visit was billed as an informal meet-and-greet for campaign volunteers.

However, it had all the markings a mini-rally, with several speakers firing-up a crowd of 100 or more before the Ponte Vedra Beach Republican gave them a stump speech outside a party campaign office at the Del Prado Mall.

Rep. Jeanette Nunez, R-Miami, was chosen by Ron DeSantis to serve as his running mate on the GOP ticket as lieutenant governor.(Photo: Florida House of Representatives)

The Cape crowd heard from several GOP leaders before DeSantis made his pitch. Among them: DeSantis’ running mate, State Rep. Jeannette Nunez of Miami, and State Rep. Byron Donalds of Naples.

Donalds urged members of the audience to step out of their comfort zones and campaign like never before in the few remaining weeks before the Nov. 6 general election.

Tell store clerks “I need you to vote for Ron DeSantis,” Donalds advised. He drew laughs and cheers as he added: “On the Midpoint Bridge, roll down your window and ask (the next driver) ‘who are you voting for?’”

The economy and the environment were DeSantis’ leading themes in his Cape Coral appearance.

Ron DeSantis speaks to a group of supporters at his Cape Coral campaign office on Saturay, October 6, 2018. DeSantis had a rally earlier in the day in Naples with other events planned in Sarasota and West Palm Beach. Amanda Inscore/The News-Press

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Water quality has been a hot issue in the Cape, as freshwater discharges from Lake Okeechobee over the summer triggered a blue-green algae outbreak that fouled the Caloosahatchee River and canals and marinas in the city.

DeSantis noted that before he resigned to run for governor, he was one of the few Florida congressmen to “stand up to Big Sugar and other industries” when water quality issues arose.

If elected, he promised “good people” would serve on the water management boards – “people who understand how the (Lake Okeechobee) discharges have affected communities like Cape Coral, and not only the quality of life but health and safety and the economy.”

DeSantis also pledged to make sure water quality standards are “strict, clear and crisp,” and would be enforced by the state Department of Environmental Protection. The present arrangement under the state agriculture department hasn’t been very effective, he said.

Ron DeSantis speaks to a group of supporters at his Cape Coral campaign office on Saturay, October 6, 2018. DeSantis had a rally earlier in the day in Naples with other events planned in Sarasota and West Palm Beach.(Photo: Amanda Inscore/The News-Press)

As for Gillum: “He’s never done anything for Florida’s environment.”

Republican volunteer Maggie Cooper of Fort Myers brought Savanna Cooper, her 11-year-old granddaughter, with her to see DeSantis.

Cooper said she wasn’t a single-issue voter.

“I’m a conservative Christian, and I’m concerned with the direction the country goes.

“She’s my only grandchild. I want her to have the opportunities I had, growing up.”

Cooper said she’s talked with her granddaughter about what she considers socialism’s downside:

“When you get free things, the government owns you.”

Recalling members of her family who served in the military, Cooper said: “I want this country to stay free.”